Carmel Presbyterian Church 
"Here We Stand"
Ephesians 4: 1 - 6
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
We Proclaim and Uphold
the following theological truths from the Bible.…
* The glory, mystery and work of the one and only God, known forever as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
* The all-powerful, all-wise and loving God of the universe as Lord of all Creation.
* That humanity was created by God to love and enjoy Him forever.
* That humanity, in its arrogance and pride, rebelled from God’s perfect will and intention for Creation. That rebellion has resulted in a humanity alienated from God. This rebellion continues today as an inherently sinful humanity seeks to go its own way.
* That out of God’s overwhelming love and grace, God became human in the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.
* That forgiveness and salvation are through Christ alone.
* That the salvation received through Jesus Christ is through God’s grace alone – that there is nothing that we can do to earn or deserve God’s grace.
* That God’s holy, inspired, and revealed Bible is the sole guide and authority for our faith and is sufficient, in and of itself, to instruct, correct, and train in all areas of faith and practice.
* That God’s word is authoritative in our lives and, as God’s people, we are to be obedient to His Word.
* That God calls those whom He has chosen for salvation and service.
* That we have been called to live in a community of people, bound together by God’s gracious action, who find their identity, purpose and communion in the risen Lord Jesus Christ.
* That we have been called to be faithful stewards of all that God has given to us.
We Believe
the following ethical and moral responses to these biblical truths….
* That, being created in the image of God, life begins at conception.
* That God desires for all people to live pure and holy lives as followers of Jesus Christ, specifically through faithfulness in marriage between a man and a woman and purity in singleness as well as in every area of life.
* That the purpose of the Church – the “bride” of Christ – is to honor, love and serve God in faithfulness through the actions of worship, service, education, missions, evangelism, fellowship and nurture.
* That our churches exist for all who live in brokenness and would find wholeness in Jesus Christ through humility, repentance, and God’s grace.
* That as members of the Church – Christ’s “body” – we have been called to love, encourage and support one another.
* That leadership is a calling from God, not a right to be claimed, and that those called ot leadership in God’s Church strive to live in obedience to His Word.
We Invite
all who would come….
All those who are broken, all those who have sought meaning in the things of this world and found them wanting, all those in need of identity and purpose to visit our church families as, together, we seek to honor God, grow into the likeness of Christ, and live in the healing power of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 4: 11 - 16
11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Carmel and The Presbyterian Church (USA)
Preamble
The history of the Christian Church, and its predecessor, Israel, is filled with glorious moments – moments punctuated by sparkling individual examples of faithfulness and moments of miraculous corporate courage and obedience. Sadly, almost from its inception, the collective gathering of God’s chosen people has also been an arena for dissension, contentious debate and overtly sinful behavior. The very human people of God have been exactly that – very human.
Throughout history the church has divided and divided again over theological issues. In 1054, the “Great Schism” occurred dividing western Christianity from its eastern Orthodox brethren. In 1517, the western Christian church was further divided by the Protestant Reformation. Since that time, Protestant denominations have multiplied exponentially.
The Presbyterian Church (USA) has a long history of formation, division, and partial reunion. Throughout all of the changes God has managed to use this broken, sinful, human institution to further His will and design for the world. The denomination, while significantly marked with wonderful moments of faithfulness and service also continues in the sad historical legacy of human brokenness. For some, the level of current sinfulness within the denomination is so complete that their individual and corporate consciences no longer allow them to affiliate with a denomination that they believe has turned their back on the historic, reformed, orthodox faith. Others believe that God is not yet done with this denomination, that the Presbyterian Church (USA) “candlestick” (Rev. 1:12, 20; 2:5) has not yet been removed and that repentance, renewal, and faithful revitalization is still possible in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Because of a unique confluence of events, Carmel Presbyterian Church is in need of a clear and compelling statement of commitment, purpose, direction and affiliation. Carmel will soon be calling an associate pastor. Carmel is experiencing growth and vitality – we are “pot bound” – and thus in need of updated facilities where we can expand and grow. There are some who believe it is time for Carmel to leave the denomination. There are others who are firmly committed to staying within the Presbyterian Church (USA). Both sides are seeking to be faithful. Both sides have an earnest desire to honor God, proclaim Jesus Christ and remain faithful to the historic reformed faith. This lack of corporate clarity and commitment will hurt our church witness and health. A divided house has a difficult time moving forward. Carmel needs clarity. This essay seeks to provide that clarity.
From Carmel’s theological vantage point, it appears that for decades there has been a theological erosion and compromise in the commitment of the denomination to its historic, essential tenets of the faith. While acknowledging that theological diversity can be a healthy value, there is a concern that, in an absolute commitment to diversity, Carmel believes that the Presbyterian Church (USA) has been willing to strongly commit to only the lowest of the commonly held theological denominators. Carmel is tremendously concerned that fundamental commitments to the historic, confessional proclamations regarding the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the doctrine of the Atonement, the nature of the Trinity, the authority and inspiration of Scripture, the sovereignty of God, and the nature of Sin have been compromised. In addition, Carmel is extremely concerned about the denomination’s positions regarding abortion, issues around homosexuality and ordination standards.
A Statement of Commitment
Given our level of concern, and looking to move forward faithfully in these theologically muddy waters, the Session of Carmel discussed our ecclesiastical options. Recognizing that Carmel has not always been faithful in its obligations to the denomination in the past, and that we sent a clear and unambiguous letter to the stated clerks of our presbytery, synod and denomination signaling our intention to be faithful in the future, the Session of Carmel Presbyterian Church reaffirms that commitment to engagement within the Presbyterian Church (USA). It does so with a tremendous sense of concern for the theological health and vitality of the denomination. It does so with strong sense of pastoral concern for those members of the Carmel church family who will disagree with this commitment. The Session of Carmel Presbyterian Church commits itself to the Presbyterian Church (USA) for the following reasons.
The Justification
1. We believe that there is a faithful, evangelical witness committed to staying within the denomination. To leave these brothers and sisters in the faith is to abandon them in difficult times and to compromise the evangelical witness in the denomination.
2. We believe that the church is the Bride of Christ and we are called to fight for her, not against her.
3. We do not believe that we are here by accident. God called this church into being from within the Presbyterian Church. Certainly an omniscient God knew of theologically difficult times to come. It may be, that part of our reason for being is to be a clear voice in ambiguous times.
4. The example of a faithful God in the midst of an unfaithful humanity is compelling. Humanity, even the most devout amongst us, continually breaks fellowship with the holy and righteous Lord of the Universe and yet at no time does the eternally faithful God seek to disaffiliate Himself from humanity.
5. The prophetic record in the Old Testament is clear, compelling, and directly applicable. Daniel, Elijah, Hosea and Jeremiah are all examples of prophets standing firm -in their actions and in their calling – while in the midst of a people guilty of sins perhaps far greater than those being committed within our current denomination. These prophets remained - sometimes at great personal cost. These prophets continued in relationship with a people from whom God had withdrawn – all or in part – and continued to play a role in their collective redemption.
6. The teachings and example of Christ are instructive. We are told to love those with whom we are in disagreement, to love and pray for their well-being. From His painful place upon the cross, Jesus asked His Father to “forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Jesus did not separate himself from humanity. Indeed, quite the opposite. He became flesh and dwelt amongst us, living as we live, dying as we die so that we might be reconciled back with God.
7. Jesus, in the 17th chapter of John, prayed: “Father, may all of them be one, just as you are in me and I am in you,…that the world may believe that you have sent me.” Our loving unity is a declaration of the gospel to a world (and our denomination!) wracked with dissension and despair.
8. Paul wrote to the church in Rome and stated, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.” Certainly fractures within the Body of Christ have to be painful and displeasing to God.
9. The biblical example given by Paul to churches suffering from theological division seems compelling. Paul never tells the disaffected obedient minority to leave a flawed church. Paul urges the use of discipline, obedience, confession, repentance, and restoration as the tools to address these flaws.
10. Our Session is still in control of all Carmel finances. Unlike many presbyteries, the Presbytery of Charlotte allows individual congregations to designate wholly, or in part, all expected financial support of presbytery, synod, and General Assembly. Carmel commits itself to the ongoing financial support of the presbytery, synod, and General Assembly. Carmel also reaffirms its commitment to designated giving and we will only financially support ministries and programs in accordance with our historic confessional positions.
11. We recognize the development and growth of networks within the denomination (and locally) that are available for support, nurture, voice and joint service. These organizations strongly proclaim a systematic reformed evangelical theology congruent with Carmel theological positions. Presbyterian Global Fellowship, Presbyterians for Renewal, and The Presbyterian Coalition and a number of churches in the Charlotte area are examples of these networks.
12. We recognize that there is a growing missional awareness and commitment within the Presbyterian Church (USA) – nationally, regionally, and locally.
13. We remain free to preach and proclaim Jesus Christ, His atoning sacrifice, the reality of the Resurrection and the truth and authority of the whole Word of God.
14. When we joined the church we took vows to actively and responsibly participate in the life and mission of the church. When our children were baptized, or when we participated in the congregational vows for baptism for other children of the congregation, we promised to take responsibility for the faith, growth and nurture of the child within the church. As elders, deacons and ministers of Word and Sacrament, we took vows committing ourselves to be governed by our church’s polity and to abide by its discipline. We promised to be a friend among our colleagues in ministry, working with them, subject to the ordering of God’s Word and Spirit. Finally, we committed ourselves to upholding the faith, unity and purity of the church. Because of these vows of baptism, membership and ordination we do not believe that we can lead Carmel in a break from the church.
Carmel Action
In this action, Carmel is committing itself to the principles of obedience, accountability, love, grace, forgiveness, perseverance and is patterning itself after the example of God and Jesus Christ. We fully recognize that not everyone will agree with this commitment and the actions that will flow from it. However, the mission and momentum of Carmel Presbyterian Church can no longer be held captive to the theological Presbyterian Church (USA) issues du jour. We will stand on these principles regardless of the specific issue at hand.
We the people of Carmel Presbyterian Church
affirm our continuing affiliation in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
We the people of Carmel Presbyterian Church
are committing ourselves to the denomination
as one of the mission fields in which we will be engaged.
We the people of Carmel Presbyterian Church
are committing ourselves
to a clear and unequivocal theological proclamation – rooted in the historic, reformed faith –
and a life witness grounded in biblical truth.
Perhaps most importantly, we the people of Carmel Presbyterian Church
are committing ourselves to functioning in such a way
that an observer could not help but say about Carmel that they love God and they love God’s people.
The clerk of Session will communicate this decision to the stated clerks of the presbytery, synod and General Assembly. The moderator of the denomination will receive a copy of this decision. It is our hope that this action will allow a fresh breeze to blow through our church. Perhaps that breeze will even continue on throughout the denomination. In Christ, all things are possible!